One minute silence for NHS workers who died fighting coronavirus moves step closer

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Plans for a minute's silence to honour the NHS have moved a step closer.

The Government has confirmed it is looking into the proposals, which have been mooted by Labour.

It would mean a UK-wide minute-long silence for NHS workers who have lost their lives on the front line of the Covid-19 struggle.

It follows a campaign by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to recognise the sacrifice health workers have made during the unprecedented pandemic.

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Mr Dowden told the BBC: "I think it is a very good idea."

He added: "We are looking into it.

"Actually, as Culture Secretary, I have responsibility for ceremonials and things like minute-silences, and we are actively looking into that and think it is a good idea."

Asked whether it could be an official Government-led event, he said: "Yes, I think it could be but we will make an announcement on that at an appropriate time."

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When asked about reports suggesting pubs could remain closed until Christmas, he said that was "pure speculation" on Monday.

He added: "We're all desperate to end this lockdown.

"But we need to do it in a sensible way because the worst thing we could possibly do is to prematurely ease the restrictions and then find a second peak, and have to go right back to square one again with potentially even more draconian measures."